Anthropogenic disturbance of silt mudflats: A study of effects on populations of Corophium volutator and Peringia ulvae

Abstract

Anthropogenic disturbance is known to be highly influential on ecosystems. Sensitive systems with a high ratio of specialized Fauna and Flora are often more affected than those inhabited with generalists. An example of a sensitive ecosystem is the mudflats located off List on the island of Sylt. To investigate the anthropogenic disturbance of the mudflats, we examined populations of Peringia ulvae and Corophium volutator. In this article we show that already a one-time disturbance of the mudflats leads to a significant reduction of density of P. ulvae. No significant difference could be observed between the area disturbed multiple times and the zone that was disturbed only once, indicating that a single disturbance has drastic effects on the ecosystem. Total numbers of C. volutator increased in zones that were disturbed compared to the control area. While organic mass did not significantly differ between disturbed and control area, disturbance, even a single one, resulted in a visual alteration and a decrease of net animal count.